Skype for Business
Also called lync, sfb, skype for business 2016
The retired Lync-based work client. Microsoft points orgs at Teams. The process is lync.exe.
What you need to know
Skype for Business is the Lync work client. It is not consumer Skype and not Teams.
lync.exe is Skype for Business. Skype.exe was consumer Skype. ms-teams.exe is Teams. Microsoft retired the Online service in 2021 and points orgs at Teams.
- What is it?
- Enterprise IM
- Still current?
- Retired or replaced
- Official download?
- Use the vendor link in this article
What is Skype for Business?
Skype for Business is Microsoft's former work IM and meeting client. The Windows executable is lync.exe. Teams is the replacement Microsoft documents.
If you have never used it
If a 2018 work guide says open Skype for Business, that is the Lync-based work client, not consumer Skype and not Teams. The process is lync.exe. Skype for Business Online retired in 2021. Microsoft points cloud orgs at Teams. Consumer Skype.exe is the other retired product. Do not download a consumer Skype setup to replace it.
What is it used for?
Some on-premises tenants still open lync.exe. Cloud tenants should be on Teams.
Skype.exe was the consumer app, also retired in 2025. A personal Skype login will not register SfB.
Microsoft Learn documents moving users to Teams Only. That is the supported path.
Who is it for?
- People whose Start menu still says Skype for Business
- Admins with leftover on-premises SfB
- Anyone who mixed it up with consumer Skype or Teams
Current status
Skype for Business Online retired July 31, 2021. Microsoft points organizations at Teams. Some on-premises servers may still start lync.exe.
How old is it?
Office Communicator became Lync, then Skype for Business in 2015. The Online service ended July 31, 2021. On-premises Server editions lingered longer. Current Microsoft 365 meetings are Teams. A 2016 lync.exe shortcut is leftover work software.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor |
|---|---|
| RAM | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. |
Resource profile
- CPU demand
- Follows what you open inside the app
- RAM demand
- Follows documents, tabs, or libraries
Installed processes
These executables belong to this product when it is installed.
| lync.exe | Main Windows executable |
|---|
Startup components
IT used to pin lync.exe at logon for presence. Current policy should name Teams instead.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\lync.exe |
|---|
File formats
Common problems
Online sign-in is dead
Skype for Business Online is retired. That is not a NIC failure. Ask IT about Teams.
People install consumer Skype to join a work meeting
Wrong product. Teams is the current work client.
Getting unstuck
Ask IT whether you should still run lync.exe
learn.microsoft.com/skypeforbusiness is the admin map. A consumer get-skype page is the wrong download.
Use Teams if the tenant already moved
support.microsoft.com/skype-for-business still exists for leftovers. New meetings are Teams.
Do not download SfB from a filename site
Work clients come from the tenant or Volume Licensing, not a forum zip.
Alternatives
Microsoft Teams for current work chat and meetings. Consumer Skype is also retired. Zoom if the invite is Zoom.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | learn.microsoft.com/skypeforbusiness/ Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | support.microsoft.com/skype-for-business Vendor support |
| Official site | learn.microsoft.com/skypeforbusiness/ Start here, not a random exe host |
Related hardware
A leftover lync.exe does not need a GPU upgrade. The meeting load now belongs to Teams on most tenants.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Legacy Information. How we research.
- Skype for Business official site · Vendor product page
- Skype for Business help · Vendor support
- Skype for Business Online retirement · Online service ended July 31, 2021
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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